Selection of Basic Instructional Materials Adopted for Classroom Use

Transcription

1 Instructional Materials Selection The authority of the Board of Education primarily places the responsibility for the selection of instructional materials with the professional staff of the school district. The Superintendent shall establish administrative regulations and procedures pertaining to the selection of instructional materials necessary for teachers to implement the approved curriculum in their classrooms and work effectively with students. The regulations shall also include a procedure for handling concerns or challenges regarding instructional materials utilized in the school district. The Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services has the responsibility for implementing these regulations and procedures. Instructional materials shall be selected to support the approved curriculum, enhance student learning and assist students in attaining the goals and objectives of the district s Strategic Plan. Instructional materials shall be classified into three categories; basic instructional materials, basic supplemental instructional materials, and non-basic instructional materials. Basic instructional materials are the primary adopted materials to be used in classroom instruction. Basic instructional materials are associated with district curriculum adoptions for district-wide use as a primary means to attain the districts standards and benchmarks. Supplemental basic instructional materials are other district adopted print and nonprint materials (audio-visual, digital and electronically-accessed) that may be used at the discretion of the teacher to enhance, augment or illustrate classroom instruction. Non-basic instructional materials are resources selected by individual teachers to complement, enrich, or extend the curriculum, to meet diverse needs of students or to meet the rapidly changing circumstances for individual classes. Non-basic instructional materials used for classroom instruction are the responsibility of the teacher using them and the appropriate administrator. Non-basic instructional materials are selected by the classroom teacher utilizing the same selection criteria as the district adopted basic instructional materials and supplemental basic instructional materials. Selection of Basic Instructional Materials Adopted for Classroom Use The Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction is responsible for coordinating and supervising the selection and adoption process of basic instructional materials that support the goals and objectives as set forth in the WFPS Strategic Plan. Teachers and administrators, through the appropriate curriculum study committees, will preview and select basic instructional classroom materials. Selected materials will Page 1 of 5

2 support the district s philosophy statements and curricular standards and benchmarks. Selected materials will be an extension of best practice educational research. Selection Criteria for Instructional Materials 1) Content a. Supports WFPS Strategic Plan b. Is research-based and reflects best-practice instructional approaches c. Aligns with district and state standards and benchmarks d. Meets a range of needs and characteristics of the intended user: ability levels, reading levels, learning styles, age and social development and special needs e. Written to allow for differentiation of content, process, and product for students at different ability levels f. Presents facts and concepts accurately and objectively g. Stimulates growth in analytical and thinking skills h. Represents diverse points of view i. Represents multi-cultural perspectives j. Avoids stereotypes and bias with regard to gender, race, religion, age, culture and sexual orientation 2) Organization and Physical Format a. Utilizes a logical and user-friendly format b. Uses instructional aids such as tables, graphics, photographs, charts, maps, color, patterns, highlighting, varied typefaces, summaries, and questions 3) Supplementary Resources a. Provides integrated supplementary materials including, but not limited to, computer software, online material, audio-visual resources, and printed material 4) Teacher Guide and Supporting Materials a. Employs a user-friendly format and organization b. Offers useful instructional suggestions and activities based on best practices research c. Provides bibliographies of additional resources d. Includes suggestions and/or tools for assessment Selection of Supplemental Basic Instructional Materials Adopted for Classroom Use The Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction has the responsibility for supervising the selection of supplemental basic instructional materials, including print and non-print materials (audio-visual, digital and electronically-accessed). Study Committees have a primary role in the preview and evaluation of proposed materials. Any classroom use of supplementary audio-visual or audio materials carrying a motion picture industry rating or the Recording Industry of America Parental Advisory will follow the rating guidelines. Any teacher using rated materials outside of the guidelines will follow the district approved procedure for use. Page 2 of 5

3 Selection of Supplemental Basic Instructional Materials: Library Materials and Shared District Resources The Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction has the responsibility for coordinating and supervising the selection of materials for the individual library media center collections and district shared collection of print, non-print, audio-visual, digitally formatted and electronically accessed materials. The responsibility for the selection of library media materials at the building level is delegated to the building library media specialist, assisted by the faculty and administration. The library media centers provide a wide range of student materials to stimulate, expand and satisfy the diverse informational needs and reading interests of students, enriching their instructional experience and helping them fully realize their potential at each stage of their educational, social and emotional development. In selecting materials for purchase and/or use, the library media specialist bases his/her judgment on the valuation of the existing collection and the selection considerations for collection development in library media centers. Selection is an ongoing process which should include removal of materials no longer appropriate and the replacement of lost and worn materials still of educational value. The selection of materials is carefully done to assure a comprehensive collection appropriate for the users of the library media centers and in accordance with accepted school library collection development considerations and guidelines. Selection Considerations for Collection Development in Library Media Centers 1) Direct or contextual support of curricular goals and objectives; 2) Enrichment of basic instructional materials; 3) Balance in the existing collection; 4) Currency and significance for contemporary society; 5) Readability; 6) Appeal to interests and needs of students; 7) Age, social and emotional development of students; 8) Appeal to various ability levels and learning styles; 9) Representation of various interests and viewpoints; 10) Availability in other district libraries; 11) Price; 12) Stability of format; 13) Potential demand and use; 14) Degree of interest and potential use; 15) Presentation of varied points of view for critical analysis; 16) Representation of religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity and plurality in society; 17) Stimulation of literary appreciation, aesthetic values and ethical standards; 18) Reputation of author, artist, composer, producer, publisher; Page 3 of 5

4 19) Favorable review in reputable and respected review sources and lists of recommended works distributed by reputable sources. 20) Consultations with teachers. 21) Requests for previewed materials from specialists from departments and grade levels as appropriate. 22) Personal examination of materials. Additional Considerations in the Selection and Circulation of Library Materials Materials included in library media center collections are selected for the student population of each building. Library staff will make every effort to respect the expressed concerns or suggested guidelines of the parents/guardians of a student. Parents/guardians may have advisory notes placed on their child s library record limiting the materials their child may checkout. Library materials will be selected for their strengths, rather than rejected for their weaknesses. Materials are judged and selected as a whole work rather than individual parts. Library media specialists and teachers should seek guidance in the selection of fictional materials from reviews in professional journals and books, consultations with other library media specialists and teachers, and personal or electronic examination when possible. Selection of Non-Basic Instructional Materials by Individual Teachers Non-basic instructional materials are resources selected by individual teachers to complement, enrich, or extend the curriculum, to meet diverse needs of students or to meet the rapidly changing circumstances for individual classes. Non-basic instructional materials used for classroom instruction are the responsibility of the teacher using them and the appropriate administrator. Non-basic instructional materials are selected by the classroom teacher utilizing the same selection criteria as the district adopted basic instructional materials and supplemental basic instructional materials. Confidentiality of Library Records The confidentiality of individual circulation records is protected by the North Dakota Century Code, chapter Library Records -Open records exception: Any record maintained or received by a library receiving public funds, which provides a library patron s name or information sufficient to identify a patron together with the subject about which the patron requested information, is considered private and is excepted from the public records disclosure requirements. These records may be released when required pursuant to a court order or a subpoena. Page 4 of 5

5 Adopted: 06/25/81 Reviewed: 22/22/22 Revised: 12/21/84 12/16/86 10/24/05 01/09/12 Page 5 of 5